Traditional hobbies are dying out

Trainspotting, quilting and astrology are among the hobbies which are dying out, a study has found.

Researchers found working longer hours, having less disposable income and social media distractions mean fewer of us are able to take time out and enjoy traditional pastimes.

Stamp collecting, embroidery and building models also featured as interests which Brits aren’t so interested in any more.

The study found playing sports, travelling and gardening featured among the more popular hobbies.

The study also found three quarters agreed hobbies bring them and their partner closer together with half using it as something to talk about.

One quarter enjoy gardening and pruning the bushes with their loved ones, with one in 10 couples hiking and four in 10 going for nice walks together.

In fact, one in 10 are keen to take up a new interest with their significant other but worried it might be a bit on the unusual side. Nearly one quarter were willing to take up wife carrying and husband dragging as a hobby.

In a bid to offset boredom, one quarter would like to try pie eating as a hobby, with 9% willing to have a go at bog snorkelling and 6% keen to attempt extreme ironing.

Of other absurd activities, one in 10 would participate in egg tossing, with as many Brits willing to try gurning and 16% would give marbles a go.

One fifth of those polled get involved in different leisure pursuits to keep their mind sharp.

Eighteen per cent use their interests as a chance for a bit of “me-time”, with one in 20 treating it as a chance to make friends.

Despite a nation with keen interests, of the one quarter with no hobbies half of them wish they had an interest to call their own.

But a lack of time, interest and companions to kick-start it with means they aren’t spending any free time they have in a way they would like.

Nearly half of Brits reckoned they have less time now than they used to for leisurely activities and nearly a third agreed hobbies are becoming less commonplace.

However, the poll of 2 000 adults revealed some of the more unusual hobbies circulating the nation including candle making, origami and even collecting Aston Villa football programmes.

One Brit even invests their time in a spot of scripophily – the study and collection of stock and bond certificates.